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The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has selected Kapsch TrafficCom (Kapsch) to upgrade toll systems on the interstate 15 (I-15) Express Lanes and the State Route 125 toll road (South Bay Expressway). The project aims to provide drivers with more seamless journeys that feature modern technology and streamlined maintenance and operation activities. It is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. Through the agreement, Kapsch will replace all in-lane equipment with a software support

Two Bikeplus schemes in Scotland are inviting the public to take part in a socially inclusive project on the 13 April and a Go e-bike information event on the 23 April. Bikeplus and South East of Scotland Transport Partnership will host the Go e-bike programme at Victoria Quay, Leith. The scheme aims to improve accessibility, air quality and reduce carbon emissions. It will highlight different e-bikes in various contexts including St. Andrews, Clear Buckhaven, West Lothian Bike Library and an employer

Chinese automotive research and design company Techrules has established key strategic partnerships to develop its Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle (TREV) technology. It has signed a memorandum of understanding with supplier of rail transit equipment subsidiary CRRC Times Electric (TEC) at the Geneva Motor Show. Through the agreement, TREV will be developed for use in TEC’s Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit transportation system. The innovation’s weight-saving and range-extending capabilities are said to

Australia-based Tritium has announced the opening of a European headquarters in Amsterdam as part of a strategic development plan to bring its services and the manufacturing of its electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging solutions closer to clients around the world. Additionally, the facility will manage its sales programme across the territory and house a training and accreditation unit for technical servicing and support. It can also customise the company’s product range to meet local market needs and spe

MEPs are urging the European Commission (EC) to present a timetable with clear targets for what the European Union needs to achieve between 2019 and 2029 to speed up the deployment of connected intelligent transport systems (C-ITS) technologies. The resolution has been approved with 633 votes in favour, 43 against and 11 abstentions. In addition, they added that C-ITS services that have the highest safety potential should be a priority. István Ujhelyi, rapporteur, said: “Automation is knocking at the door

Siemens will develop software for London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) with the intention of ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place for when it goes live in April 2019. The zone will require vehicles, barring some exceptions, to meet exhaust emissions standards or pay a daily charge when travelling into central London. Work will now commence over the next 12 months to allow the software to be deployed for service preparation activities leading up to the scheme. The ULEZ is intended

A SmartStation research and design project has worked with PTV Group and Raumobil to develop ideas on how to turn analogue stops into digital hubs, in Karlsruhe. The scheme, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, set out to reveal the importance of networked stations for multimodal mobility. The initiatives 18-month research phase identified that intelligent stops that include analogue facilities such as information terminals, escalators, elevators and lockers need to

Siemens has appointed Wilke Reints as managing director for its ITS business unit in the UK to succeed Tom MacMorran, who retires at the end of the month. He most recently held a global position responsible for all research and development and product lifecycle management for ITS. Reints joined the company in 1992 and has held a variety of positions including working in project management for the Athens Olympic Games as well as other large traffic management-related projects. Wilke said: “Siemens has a

A report from legal expert Laura Thomas has claimed that there is a strong case for changing the law to combat dangerous cycling, which if implemented, would bring offences in line with dangerous driving. It ties in with the Department for Transport's Call for Evidence, which is seeking to address issues that cyclists and pedestrians face, or perceive when using the road infrastructure. Thomas said: “Overall, in my opinion, the present law on cycling is not sufficient. I suggest that an offence comprising

Sociedad Ibérica de Construcciones Eléctricas (SICE) has chosen technology provider GMV to design and manufacture ticket vending machines (TVMs) that will replace the traditional personnel-attended ticket windows at the Santiago de Chile Metro’s line six and the future line three. Since opening late last year, line six is said to carry an average of 100,000 passengers daily and is helping to reduce congestion on other lines of the network. Through the agreement, 80 TVMs will vend and recharge the Chilean

Cubic Transportation Systems’ (CTS’) business division and Transport for New South Wales will extend its trial of contactless ticketing across the entire Sydney ferry and light rail network. The project aims to allow users to purchase one-off fares quicker and easier while also allowing them to pay for journeys using American Express and Visa cards. More than 15,000 passengers are estimated to have used their Mastercard to tap on and pay for travel across Sydney harbour since the trial began on the Manly

Groupe PSA has announced a partnership with Harman International at the Geneva International Motorshow to develop a cyber security strategy that aims to protect its next-generation connected and autonomous vehicles. Both companies have collaborated over two years on projects such as analysing potential threats and security design. They have also conducted a feasibility study of advanced intrusion detection systems for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous and next-generation vehicle

Jesse Norman, the UK government’s road minister, has announced a three-year regulatory review to examine any legal obstacles to the widespread introduction of self-driving vehicles and highlight the need for regulatory reforms. It aims to ensure that the country remains a primary location to develop, test and drive these vehicles. The inquiry will be carried out by the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. It is also part of the government’s Future of Mobility Grand Challe

Highways England has appointed David Picton as interim executive director for commercial and procurement on the 13 March. He will take over from David Poole who is leaving the company on the 16 March. Picton has led safety and supply chain development at Carillion as well as sustainability strategies over the past six years. He was previously a director at Sky and Motorola and also spent 20 years in senior strategic and operational leadership roles as a wing commander in the RAF.